Student Org. of the Week: Be the Match

This week, I had Laura Schneider from Be the Match answer some questions about the organization and their big 5K event coming up on April 1sts

Be The Match at a local event to support a cancer survivor meeting the donor for the first time!

Q: What is the name of your organization? Do you go by any nicknames or abbreviations?

A: Be the Match on Campus – UIowa

Q: What is the purpose/mission of your organization?

A: We offer students an opportunity to help save lives by joining the Be The Match Registry, helping raise funds to pay for the tissue typing of students to join, and educating more people by hosting drives and presenting to different groups on campus. Being part of the Be The Match (Bone Marrow) Registry means that you may one day be called to give bone marrow to a patient in need of a lifesaving transplant.

Q: What days/times does your organization typically meet?

A: Monday nights at 7:30 pm till 8:30 pm in the Minnesota Room in the IMU

Swab a cheek to save a life!

Q: Do you have any upcoming/recurring events you would like to be made known?

A: We have a 5k on April 1st called Hawkeyes Move for Marrow 5k (sign up now). Throughout the year we hold Bone Marrow Drives all around Campus where we educate and sign people up for the registry. Our group is also available to come to club meetings or be an educational for fraternity and sorority life.

Q: Why did you personally get involved with this organization?

A: I got involved because I wanted to make a difference and have activities for my resume. I stayed a part of it because it felt really good to know that I was saving lives.

“I wanted to spread awareness to Greek Life on campus.” –Matt DeBlaey

Current University of Iowa student Matt DeBlaey meeting the man whose life he saved with a bone marrow donation

Q: What makes you passionate about this organization?

A: I know people who have survived cancer because of donors on the Be The Match registry and I want to help others survive by getting more people onto the registry.

“I was lucky enough to get matched with a cancer patient and was able to save his life.” – Matt DeBlaey

Fundraising for Be The Match so we can cover the fees it takes to add people to the Bone Marrow Registry

Q: If a student is interested in joining this organization, how should they go about it/who should they contact?

A: They should come to our meetings on every other Mondays of the month. The remaining meetings, for the semester, are on April 10th and April 24th. Anyone may join our group on Facebook. You can also email the President Olivia Ray at olivia-ray@uiowa.edu for more information.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?

A: Every 4 Minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. The Cure for many of these people lies in the hands of the students here on campus.

Be The Match on Campus Iowa Summit: Leaders of UIowa, ISU, and Drake come together

This organization has a very important impact on people’s lives around the world and it seems to be a very rewarding experience. If you are interested in become a part of this, definitely check it out! I’m sure they would appreciate a helping hand.